It grossed just $2.2 million at the U.S. box office, but "The East," the eco-thriller directed by Zal Batmanglij and starring Alexander Skarsgård and Brit Marling, topped The Times' fourth-annual poll for most underappreciated movie of the year, beating out Ron Howard's "Rush," which garnered the second-most votes.

The film follows an undercover corporate spy (Marling) who infiltrates a radical eco-terrorist group run by a charismatic leader (Skarsgård) as they embark on a series of "jams" to try to take down corporate interests. Though upon its spring art-house release the film drew strong plaudits for its sense of suspense and complex political undertones, it failed to catch on with audiences.

"Rush" delves into the fact-based rivalry of Formula One drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt. It too drew strong reviews for both its racing scenes and complex interpersonal dynamics. The film was a big hit in the United Kingdom, where it finished in the box office top 2 three weeks running, but fizzled in the less F1-inclined U.S., drumming up just $27 million in wide release. It also notched a nomination for best picture-drama at the Golden Globes earlier this month.

Failing to climb out of the cellar was "The Counselor," Ridley Scott's drug-running thriller that marked Cormac McCarthy's screenwriting debut. After being pilloried by critics and flopping at the box office, the film has elicited a small but devoted following, but that following was not big enough to notch more than 5% of the overall vote.

Peter Morgan wouldn’t be the first screenwriter you’d think of to tell the story of the 1976 Formula One rivalry between the uptight clinician Niki Lauda and the seat-of-his pants swashbuckler James Hunt.